This limited express train is one of most popular limited express train that is serviced by JR Kyushu. This connects Hakata and Kokura with Oita and Saeki. If you go to the popular hot springs resort, Beppu, this train is that you need to take after you get off Shinkansen at Kokura or Hakata. Of course this train is fully covered by Japan Rail Pass.
This train is operated by 885 and 883 series. I would like to share the information about this train in this post.
Route, schedule and trip time
This express train connect Hakata with Oita in 2 hours and 30 minutes, and connect Kokura with Oita in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Sonic services run every 20 to 40 minutes for daytime. In most of season, more than 30 round trips are operated a day.
You can check the timetable at JR Kyushu website (English).
View Sonic in a larger map
Stations
| Hakata (博多) | x |
|---|---|
| Yoshizuka (吉塚) | * |
| Kashii (香椎) | * |
| Fukuma (福間) | * |
| Togo (東郷) | * |
| Akama (赤間) | * |
| Orio (折尾) | x |
| Kurosaki (黒崎) | x |
| Yahata (八幡) | x |
| Tobata (戸畑) | * |
| Kokura (小倉) | x |
| Shimosone (下曽根) | * |
| Yukuhashi (行橋) | x |
| Unoshima (宇島) | * |
| Nakatsu (中津) | x |
| Yanagigaura (柳ヶ浦) | * |
| Usa (宇佐) | * |
| Kitsuki (杵築) | * |
| Kamegawa (亀川) | * |
| Beppu (別府) | x |
| Oita (大分) | x |
| Tsurusaki (鶴崎) | x |
| Ozai (大在) | x |
| Kosaki (幸崎) | x |
| Usuki (臼杵) | x |
| Tsukumi (津久見) | x |
| Saiki (佐伯) | x |
x:All trains stop *:some trains stop
Accommodation
Sonic is operated two types of fleets, 885 series and 883 series. 885 is newer than 883. But 883 series has a good seat and more popular.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
885 series
Sonic which is serviced by this series is called “White Sonic”. 885 series equip the leather seat for both Green and Ordinary. It looks good and have very sophisticated atmosphere, but this seat is a bit slippery and has leather smell.
The seat configuration on Green class 1+1+1 and the seat pitch is 1150 mm. The seat pitch on Ordinary class is 980 mm. The seat in car #2 of some train sets have the power outlet. You will see lots of Japanese modern art in this car. You can enjoy this car as art gallery.
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR |
Images
Green seat 
Ordinary seat 
Sanitary space 
Common space 
883 series
This train is called “Wonderland Express”. When this train was introduced, the eccentric design was in the news. But now this train was renovated. This eccentric design had gone. But you will still see some originative items in the car. Green class has a lounge space just behind cockpit. You will get the power outlet at window seat on car#1, both Green and Ordinary.
Train formations
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | NR |
*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Smoking is not allowed on this train.
Images
Green seat 
Ordinary seat 
Sanitary space 
Common space 
Hi Takeshi-san
I will be getting the All Kyushu Area Pass and noticed that there is a clause stating *The pass cannot be used for the portion between Hakata and Kokura.
I will be travelling from Beppu to Hakata station. The train route recommended in Hyperdia shows that I will need to change train at Kokura station. And from Kokura, take Shinkansen Nozomi/Kodama to Hakata. Does this means that Shinkansen Nozomi/Kodama is not covered by the All Kyushu Area Pass? Is there any other way to get to Hakata without transit at Kokura?
Hi May san,
The Shinkansen between Hakata and Kokura is not covered by Kyushu Area Pass. But you can take the limited express Sonic from Hakata. Please find the timetable in the link below. The trip time may be longer but you don’t need to change the trains at Kokura. You can get Beppu from Hakata directly.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20190316_20200229.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Arigatou, Takeshi-san!
Doitashimashite, May san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for a nice and insights overview of the Sonic Series. I am wondering if this train has some luggage space in the cabin. I am traveling with my parents and we packed all our stuff in one 28” bag. I had no problem finding luggage storage on Yufuin-no-Mori but i’m not sure if this train is the same.
Thank you
Hi Kotori,
Sonic is operated by two kinds of fleet, 883 series and 885 series. 885 series has a luggage storage space but 885 does not. You can find which train is operated by 883 series in the timetable. Please see the link below and see page 8.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20190316_20200229.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, yes, I can read that. That’s great. Thanks, for the thousandth time!
No worries, Simon.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is it necessary to reserve seats on Sonic if travelling on a Sunday on the second week of November? Also I will be travelling from Kagoshimachuo to Hakata and then transfer to Sonic from Hakata to Beppu. Is it easy to find the track platform for Sonic ?
Hi Evelyn,
It’s hard to guess how busy in non reserved car. If you can, I recommend you to book a seat.
It’s not hard to change trains at Hakata station. Please find more info in the link below:
https://www.hakatastation.com/hakata-station-map-finding-your-way/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Will there be extra train services from Hakata to Oita for the Rugby World Cup quarter finals? With a lot of supporters staying in Fukuoka I expect there will be greater demand for train transport
Thanks Steve
Hi Steve,
I believe there will be the extra train running but any information has not been released yet. Usually fall train schedule will come up in early summer.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, I am also intending to take this one Kokura-Beppu during the World Cup. Is there a way to know which tain is 883series and which 885 series? I noticed doing “test” seat reservations on Eki-net that on some trains carriage 2 has 12 rows, and on another train carriage 2 has 14 rows of seats. Maybe this a way to tell which model is operating that train?
Hi Simon,
Please see the bottom in the link below. I think you can understand this:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/sonic/
There are 6 cars formation and 7 cars formation. 6 cars is 885 and 7 cars is 883.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi
First up – thanks for your help to everyone. I have a question which I hope you can help me with. We are flying to Fukuoka from Kazakhstan and will arrive on September 29th. 4 x adults and 2 x teenage boys. We have rugby tickets for
30.09.19 SCOTLAND V SAMOA KOBE STADIUM
02.10.19 ALL BLACKS VERSUS CANADA OITA STADIUM
03.10.19 IRELAND v RUSSIA KOBE STADIUM
05.10.19 AUSTRALIA V URUGUAY OITA STADIUM
06.10.19 FRANCE V TONGA KUMAMOTO STADIUM
08.10.19 SOUTH AFRICA V CANADA KOBE STADIUM
09.10.19 WALES V FIJI OITA STADIUM
12.10.19 IRELAND V SAMOA FUKUOKA STADIUM
13.10.19 WALES V URUGUAY KUMAMOTO STADIUM
19.10.19 QF1 – TBC OITA STADIUM
20.10.19 QF3 – TBC OITA STADIUM
In your opinion, which of these places is the best central location for use as a base for 3 weeks and the most convenient to get to all the venues and is train the most convenient way for to travel around? Your guidance and advice appreciated!!!
Hi Ray,
Hakata (Fukuoka) is the best location. You can get Kobe (Shin-Kobe) and Kumamoto by the Shinkansen:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
And you can take the limited express Sonic from Hakata to Kumamoto.
I recommend you to use 21-day JR pass. It is much cheaper than the regular fare:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi
Thank you so much for this prompt response!! I have another question please – we have searched online for outlets/agents to purchase Exchange voucher. How can we purchase in advance if we are livving in Kazakhstan? I cannot see a listed agent. Can we purchase online or can we purchase on arrival (we arrive Fukuoka on a Sunday) ? Thanks again.
Ray
Hi Ray,
Some companies sell JR pass online.
https://www.jrailpass.com/
https://www.jrpass.com
I think these companies are okay but I have never used these before.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, bit of an odd question but is it possible to see the 883 series on the Kagoshima Main Line south of Hakata? I’m thinking maybe heading to the Kumamoto maintenance depot. I am building an n scale layout based on my favourite Kyushu trains and want to include the 883 but only if it would be seen in real life south of Hakata. Thanks.
Hi Tsu 800,
883 series run between Hakata ana Oita only. It does not run on other segment except very special operation. You cannot see this train set in Kumamoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is there a specific time or train number to be able to take 883 Sonic? I will have a Green Pass and Green Car on 883 is much nicer than 885. Or is it based on luck?
Hi Chris,
You may find it in the link below:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20180714_20190228.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will be getting the Northern Kyushu 3 day Rail Pass for my trip to Fukuoka this September.
I think I can only exchange the pass at the JR Counter when i reach Japan. Can i reserve the seat for both Yufuin no Mori & Sonic Train online first?
Thank you!
Hi Rin san,
Online is available but it’s not free. You have to pay 1000 yen. Please see the link below:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass/how_to_purchase.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I’m looking to get the JR All Kyushu 3 day pass as I’m thinking of making a day trip to Kagoshima from Hakata and the another day trip to Beppu from Hakata. Would this be the best ticket to purchase ?
Also, I noticed that I can make online seat reservations for this ticket but it does not cover the Kyushu Shinkansen (for Hakata/Kagoshima) and Limited Express Sonic (for Hakata/Beppu). How do I make a seat reservation for those trains or is it not covered by the All Kyushu pass ?
Hi Rykiel san,
Kyushu Rail Pass is the best choice. You can book a seat for Shinkansen and Sonic when you exchange the pass. It’s quite easy to book these trains because these trains run very frequently.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
We be in Fukuoka for 7 days. Travel around that area and to beppu
What ticket recommended for cheaper price
Thanks
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
You can use Kyushu rail pass 3 days for trip to Beppu.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kyushu-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-kyushu-for-oversea-visitors.html
For other days, you can find the deal in the link below:
http://www.nishitetsu.jp/en/ticket/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JRPail.com
is it worth to buy a jr pass for my plan trip to osaka (flying in osaka), kyoto, nara then to fukuoka , beppu all with return trip.
what type of jr pass do i need and can i buy the pass on arrival at osaka airport or online.
Hi Brenda,
The combination of Sanyo Sanin area pass and Northern Kyushu Rail Pass is most affordable choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/sanyo-sanin-area-pass-it-is-much-better-deal-than-sanyo-area-pass.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kyushu-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-kyushu-for-oversea-visitors.html
Japan Rail Pass covers all part of trip.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
But above two passes combination is slightly cheaper.
You have to complete Fukuoka and Beppu in 7 days period anyway. You don’t need to include Kyoto and Nara if you cannot.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com